The last 16 gauge shotgun I had was a mistake. Back in '94 or '95 I was calling pawnshops for Winchester Model '97's. A dealer told me he had a very nice one...a 12 gauge.... along with the price and I bought it over the phone.
At the pawnshop I gave it a quick visual inspection (not my handle it until the blue is worn off) and drove home. At home my inspection revealed it was a 16 gauge. I shot it several times and I noticed WalMart was handleing less and less 16 guage.
I sold it for almost triple what I payed for it because it was a 16 gauge Model '97. Last one I owned.